Device, method, and graphical user interface for creating and using duplicate virtual keys

ABSTRACT

A method for duplicating and using virtual keys includes displaying a virtual keyboard that includes a plurality of keys. The method also includes detecting a first input to the device that activates a key cloning mode. The method further includes: while in the key cloning mode, detecting selection of a first key on the virtual keyboard; and in response to detecting selection of the first key, displaying a duplicate of the first key. The method further includes detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key; and, in response to detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key, performing an action in accordance with the first key.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to electronic devices withtouch-sensitive surfaces, including but not limited to electronicdevices with touch-sensitive surfaces that include virtual keyboards.

BACKGROUND

The use of touch-sensitive surfaces as input devices for computers andother electronic computing devices has increased significantly in recentyears. Exemplary touch-sensitive surfaces include touch pads and touchscreen displays. Such surfaces are widely used to manipulate userinterface objects on a display.

Exemplary manipulations include activating one or more virtual keys toenter characters or activate functions. A user may need to use virtualkeys in a file management program (e.g., Finder from Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif.), an image management application (e.g., Aperture oriPhoto from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a digital content (e.g.,videos and music) management application (e.g., iTunes from Apple Inc.of Cupertino, Calif.), a drawing application, a presentation application(e.g., Keynote from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a word processingapplication (e.g., Pages from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), awebsite creation application (e.g., iWeb from Apple Inc. of Cupertino,Calif.), a disk authoring application (e.g., iDVD from Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif.), or a spreadsheet application (e.g., Numbers fromApple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.).

But existing methods for creating, displaying, and using virtual keysare cumbersome and inefficient. For example, going back and forthbetween hiding a virtual keyboard with virtual keys to make more room onthe display for other content and un-hiding the virtual keyboard inorder to activate virtual keys is tedious and creates a significantcognitive burden on a user. In addition, existing methods for creating,displaying, and using virtual keys take longer than necessary, therebywasting energy. This latter consideration is particularly important inbattery-operated devices.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for computing devices with faster, moreefficient methods and interfaces for creating, displaying, and usingvirtual keys. Such methods and interfaces may complement or replaceconventional methods for using virtual keys. Such methods and interfacesreduce the cognitive burden on a user and produce a more efficienthuman-machine interface. For battery-operated computing devices, suchmethods and interfaces conserve power and increase the time betweenbattery charges.

The above deficiencies and other problems associated with userinterfaces for computing devices with touch-sensitive surfaces arereduced or eliminated by the disclosed devices. In some embodiments, thedevice is a desktop computer. In some embodiments, the device isportable (e.g., a notebook computer, tablet computer, or handhelddevice). In some embodiments, the device has a touchpad. In someembodiments, the device has a touch-sensitive display (also known as a“touch screen” or “touch screen display”). In some embodiments, thedevice has a graphical user interface (GUI), one or more processors,memory and one or more modules, programs or sets of instructions storedin the memory for performing multiple functions. In some embodiments,the user interacts with the GUI primarily through finger contacts andgestures on the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, thefunctions may include image editing, drawing, presenting, wordprocessing, website creating, disk authoring, spreadsheet making, gameplaying, telephoning, video conferencing, e-mailing, instant messaging,workout support, digital photographing, digital videoing, web browsing,digital music playing, and/or digital video playing. Executableinstructions for performing these functions may be included in acomputer readable storage medium or other computer program productconfigured for execution by one or more processors.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at acomputing device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. Themethod includes: displaying a virtual keyboard that includes a pluralityof keys; detecting a first input to the device that activates a keycloning mode; while in the key cloning mode: detecting selection of afirst key on the virtual keyboard, and, in response to detectingselection of the first key, displaying a duplicate of the first key;detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key; and, in responseto detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key, performing anaction in accordance with the first key.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device includes adisplay, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, memory, andone or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memoryand configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one ormore programs include instructions for: displaying a virtual keyboardthat includes a plurality of keys; detecting a first input to the devicethat activates a key cloning mode; while in the key cloning mode:detecting selection of a first key on the virtual keyboard, and, inresponse to detecting selection of the first key, displaying a duplicateof the first key; detecting activation of the duplicate of the firstkey; and, in response to detecting activation of the duplicate of thefirst key, performing an action in accordance with the first key.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storage mediumhas stored therein instructions which when executed by a computingdevice with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, cause the deviceto: display a virtual keyboard that includes a plurality of keys; detecta first input to the device that activates a key cloning mode; while inthe key cloning mode: detect selection of a first key on the virtualkeyboard, and, in response to detecting selection of the first key,display a duplicate of the first key; detect activation of the duplicateof the first key; and, in response to detecting activation of theduplicate of the first key, perform an action in accordance with thefirst key.

In accordance with some embodiments, a graphical user interface on acomputing device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, a memory,and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in thememory includes a virtual keyboard with a plurality of keys. A firstinput to the device is detected that activates a key cloning mode. Whilein the key cloning mode, selection of a first key on the virtualkeyboard is detected, and a duplicate of the first key is displayed inresponse to the detection of the selection of the first key. Activationof the duplicate of the first key is detected. An action is performed inaccordance with the first key in response to the detection of theactivation of the duplicate of the first key.

In accordance with some embodiments, a computing device includes: adisplay; a touch-sensitive surface; means for displaying a virtualkeyboard that includes a plurality of keys; means for detecting a firstinput to the device that activates a key cloning mode; means, enabledwhile in the key cloning mode, including: means for detecting selectionof a first key on the virtual keyboard; and, means for displaying aduplicate of the first key in response to detecting selection of thefirst key; means for detecting activation of the duplicate of the firstkey; and, means for performing an action in accordance with the firstkey in response to detecting activation of the duplicate of the firstkey.

In accordance with some embodiments, an information processing apparatusfor use in a computing device with a display and a touch-sensitivesurface includes: means for displaying a virtual keyboard that includesa plurality of keys; means for detecting a first input to the devicethat activates a key cloning mode; means, enabled while in the keycloning mode, including: means for detecting selection of a first key onthe virtual keyboard; and, means for displaying a duplicate of the firstkey in response to detecting selection of the first key; means fordetecting activation of the duplicate of the first key; and, means forperforming an action in accordance with the first key in response todetecting activation of the duplicate of the first key.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at a portableelectronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. Themethod includes: displaying a virtual keyboard that includes a cloningkey; detecting activation of the cloning key and selection of one ormore keys in the virtual keyboard; duplicating the selected one or morekeys; maintaining display of the duplicated one or more keys when thevirtual keyboard ceases to be displayed; detecting activation of a firstkey in the duplicated one or more keys while the virtual keyboard is notdisplayed; and, in response to detecting activation of the first key,performing an action in accordance with the first key.

Thus, devices with displays and touch-sensitive surfaces are providedwith faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for creating,displaying, and using virtual keys, thereby increasing theeffectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices. Suchmethods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methodsfor using virtual keys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments of theinvention as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should bemade to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer tocorresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams illustrating portable multifunctiondevices with touch-sensitive displays in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screenin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for a menu ofapplications on a portable multifunction device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary user interface for a multifunctiondevice with a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the displayin accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5T illustrate exemplary user interfaces for creating,displaying, and using duplicate virtual keys in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6D are flow diagrams illustrating a method of creating,displaying, and using duplicate virtual keys in accordance with someembodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thefirst contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are notthe same contact.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description ofthe invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that theterm “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,”“comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

As used herein, the term “resolution” of a display refers to the numberof pixels (also called “pixel counts” or “pixel resolution”) along eachaxis or in each dimension of the display. For example, a display mayhave a resolution of 320×480 pixels. Furthermore, as used herein, theterm “resolution” of a multifunction device refers to the resolution ofa display in the multifunction device. The term “resolution” does notimply any limitations on the size of each pixel or the spacing ofpixels. For example, compared to a first display with a 1024×768-pixelresolution, a second display with a 320×480-pixel resolution has a lowerresolution. However, it should be noted that the physical size of adisplay depends not only on the pixel resolution, but also on many otherfactors, including the pixel size and the spacing of pixels. Therefore,the first display may have the same, smaller, or larger physical size,compared to the second display.

As used herein, the term “video resolution” of a display refers to thedensity of pixels along each axis or in each dimension of the display.The video resolution is often measured in a dots-per-inch (DPI) unit,which counts the number of pixels that can be placed in a line withinthe span of one inch along a respective dimension of the display.

Embodiments of computing devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the computing device is a portable communications device,such as a mobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such asPDA and/or music player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portablemultifunction devices include, without limitation, the iPhone® and iPodTouch® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portabledevices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitivesurfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touch pads), may also beused. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the deviceis not a portable communications device, but is a desktop computer witha touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a touchpad).

In the discussion that follows, a computing device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the computing device may include one or moreother physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, amouse and/or a joystick.

The device supports a variety of applications, such as one or more ofthe following: a drawing application, a presentation application, a wordprocessing application, a website creation application, a disk authoringapplication, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, atelephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mailapplication, an instant messaging application, a workout supportapplication, a photo management application, a digital cameraapplication, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

The user interfaces may include one or more soft keyboard embodiments.The soft keyboard embodiments may include standard (QWERTY) and/ornon-standard configurations of symbols on the displayed icons of thekeyboard, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.11/459,606, “Keyboards For Portable Electronic Devices,” filed Jul. 24,2006, and 11/459,615, “Touch Screen Keyboards For Portable ElectronicDevices,” filed Jul. 24, 2006, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties. The keyboard embodimentsmay include a reduced number of icons (or soft keys) relative to thenumber of keys in existing physical keyboards, such as that for atypewriter. This may make it easier for users to select one or moreicons in the keyboard, and thus, one or more corresponding symbols. Thekeyboard embodiments may be adaptive. For example, displayed icons maybe modified in accordance with user actions, such as selecting one ormore icons and/or one or more corresponding symbols. One or moreapplications on the device may utilize common and/or different keyboardembodiments. Thus, the keyboard embodiment used may be tailored to atleast some of the applications. In some embodiments, one or morekeyboard embodiments may be tailored to a respective user. For example,one or more keyboard embodiments may be tailored to a respective userbased on a word usage history (lexicography, slang, individual usage) ofthe respective user. Some of the keyboard embodiments may be adjusted toreduce a probability of a user error when selecting one or more icons,and thus one or more symbols, when using the soft keyboard embodiments.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withtouch-sensitive displays. FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagramsillustrating portable multifunction devices 100 with touch-sensitivedisplays 112 in accordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitivedisplay 112 is sometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, andmay also be known as or called a touch-sensitive display system. Device100 may include memory 102 (which may include one or more computerreadable storage mediums), memory controller 122, one or more processingunits (CPU's) 120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audiocircuitry 110, speaker 111, microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem106, other input or control devices 116, and external port 124. Device100 may include one or more optical sensors 164. These components maycommunicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines 103.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may be implemented inhardware, software, or a combination of both hardware and software,including one or more signal processing and/or application specificintegrated circuits.

Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 102 by other components of device 100, such asCPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, may be controlled by memorycontroller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memorycontroller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 104. Insome other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a plurality of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), wideband code division multiple access(W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multipleaccess (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a,IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet messageaccess protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instantmessaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP),Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and PresenceLeveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service(IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitablecommunication protocol, including communication protocols not yetdeveloped as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 byperipherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 alsoincludes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack providesan interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 may include display controller 156 andone or more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices.The one or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signalsfrom/to other input or control devices 116. The other input controldevices 116 may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rockerbuttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and soforth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 may becoupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port,USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons(e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/down button for volume control ofspeaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons may include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2). A quick press of the push button maydisengage a lock of touch screen 112 or begin a process that usesgestures on the touch screen to unlock the device, as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/322,549, “Unlocking a Device byPerforming Gestures on an Unlock Image,” filed Dec. 23, 2005, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. A longer press of thepush button (e.g., 206) may turn power to device 100 on or off. The usermay be able to customize a functionality of one or more of the buttons.Touch screen 112 is used to implement virtual or soft buttons and one ormore soft keyboards.

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output may includegraphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectivelytermed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visualoutput may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a pointof contact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a fingerof the user.

Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of aplurality of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone® and iPod Touch® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of touch screen 112 may beanalogous to the multi-touch sensitive touchpads described in thefollowing U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,323,846 (Westerman et al.), 6,570,557(Westerman et al.), and/or 6,677,932 (Westerman), and/or U.S. PatentPublication 2002/0015024A1, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. However, touch screen 112 displays visualoutput from portable device 100, whereas touch sensitive touchpads donot provide visual output.

A touch-sensitive display in some embodiments of touch screen 112 may beas described in the following applications: (1) U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/381,313, “Multipoint Touch Surface Controller,” filed May 2,2006; (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862, “MultipointTouchscreen,” filed May 6, 2004; (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/903,964, “Gestures For Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jul. 30,2004; (4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/048,264, “Gestures ForTouch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 31, 2005; (5) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/038,590, “Mode-Based Graphical User InterfacesFor Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 18, 2005; (6) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/228,758, “Virtual Input Device Placement On ATouch Screen User Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (7) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/228,700, “Operation Of A Computer With A TouchScreen Interface,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; (8) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/228,737, “Activating Virtual Keys Of A Touch-Screen VirtualKeyboard,” filed Sep. 16, 2005; and (9) U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/367,749, “Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device,” filed Mar. 3, 2006. Allof these applications are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

Touch screen 112 may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. Insome embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution ofapproximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen 112using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, andso forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to workprimarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be lessprecise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of afinger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translatesthe rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position orcommand for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

In some embodiments, device 100 may include a physical or virtual wheel(e.g., a click wheel) as input control device 116. A user may navigateamong and interact with one or more graphical objects (e.g., icons)displayed in touch screen 112 by rotating the click wheel or by moving apoint of contact with the click wheel (e.g., where the amount ofmovement of the point of contact is measured by its angular displacementwith respect to a center point of the click wheel). The click wheel mayalso be used to select one or more of the displayed icons. For example,the user may press down on at least a portion of the click wheel or anassociated button. User commands and navigation commands provided by theuser via the click wheel may be processed by input controller 160 aswell as one or more of the modules and/or sets of instructions in memory102. For a virtual click wheel, the click wheel and click wheelcontroller may be part of touch screen 112 and display controller 156,respectively. For a virtual click wheel, the click wheel may be eitheran opaque or semitransparent object that appears and disappears on thetouch screen display in response to user interaction with the device. Insome embodiments, a virtual click wheel is displayed on the touch screenof a portable multifunction device and operated by user contact with thetouch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors 164. FIGS. 1Aand 1B show an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, an optical sensor is located on the front of the device sothat the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencing while theuser views the other video conference participants on the touch screendisplay. In some embodiments, the position of optical sensor 164 can bechanged by the user (e.g., by rotating the lens and the sensor in thedevice housing) so that a single optical sensor 164 may be used alongwith the touch screen display for both video conferencing and stilland/or video image acquisition.

Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIGS. 1Aand 1B show proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. Proximity sensor 166 may perform as described inU.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/241,839, “Proximity Detector InHandheld Device”; 11/240,788, “Proximity Detector In Handheld Device”;11/620,702, “Using Ambient Light Sensor To Augment Proximity SensorOutput”; 11/586,862, “Automated Response To And Sensing Of User ActivityIn Portable Devices”; and 11/638,251, “Methods And Systems For AutomaticConfiguration Of Peripherals,” which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety. In some embodiments, the proximity sensorturns off and disables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device isplaced near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 may also include one or more accelerometers 168. FIGS. 1A and1B show accelerometer 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, accelerometer 168 may be coupled to an input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. Accelerometer 168 may perform as described in U.S.Patent Publication No. 20050190059, “Acceleration-based Theft DetectionSystem for Portable Electronic Devices,” and U.S. Patent Publication No.20060017692, “Methods And Apparatuses For Operating A Portable DeviceBased On An Accelerometer,” both of which are which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety. In some embodiments, information isdisplayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscapeview based on an analysis of data received from the one or moreaccelerometers. Device 100 optionally includes, in addition toaccelerometer(s) 168, a magnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASSor other global navigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaininginformation concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait orlandscape) of device 100.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, and applications (or sets of instructions) 136.Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 stores device/globalinternal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3. Device/globalinternal state 157 includes one or more of: active application state,indicating which applications, if any, are currently active; displaystate, indicating what applications, views or other information occupyvarious regions of touch screen display 112; sensor state, includinginformation obtained from the device's various sensors and input controldevices 116; and location information concerning the device's locationand/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, oran embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various softwarecomponents and/or drivers for controlling and managing general systemtasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). Insome embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with touch screen 112 (inconjunction with display controller 156) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 130 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156detects contact on a touchpad. In some embodiments, contact/motionmodule 130 and controller 160 detects contact on a click wheel.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the intensity of graphics that aredisplayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object thatcan be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, webpages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys),digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 132 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 156.

Text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module 132,provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g.,contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other applicationthat needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   video player module 145;    -   music player module 146;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,        alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which merges video player        module 145 and music player module 146;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 inmemory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to the addressbook; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephonenumber(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other informationwith a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sortingnames; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiateand/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139,e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to atelephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respectivetelephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up whenthe conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a plurality of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, and speaker 111,video player module 145 includes executable instructions to display,present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on touch screen 112 or onan external, connected display via external port 124).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, music player module 146includes executable instructions that allow the user to download andplay back recorded music and other sound files stored in one or morefile formats, such as MP3 or AAC files. In some embodiments, device 100may include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod(trademark of Apple Inc.).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by theuser (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 maybe used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associatedwith maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points ofinterest at or near a particular location; and other location-baseddata) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video. Additional description of theonline video application can be found in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/936,562, “Portable Multifunction Device, Method, andGraphical User Interface for Playing Online Videos,” filed Jun. 20,2007, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/968,067, “PortableMultifunction Device, Method, and Graphical User Interface for PlayingOnline Videos,” filed Dec. 31, 2007, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. For example, video player module 145may be combined with music player module 146 into a single module (e.g.,video and music player module 152, FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, memory102 may store a subset of the modules and data structures identifiedabove. Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and datastructures not described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating exemplary components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,memory 102 (in FIGS. 1A and 1B) or 370 (FIG. 3) includes event sorter170 (e.g., in operating system 126) and a respective application 136-1(e.g., any of the aforementioned applications 137-151, 155, 380-390).

Event sorter 170 receives event information and determines theapplication 136-1 and application view 191 of application 136-1 to whichto deliver the event information. Event sorter 170 includes eventmonitor 171 and event dispatcher module 174. In some embodiments,application 136-1 includes application internal state 192, whichindicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch sensitivedisplay 112 when the application is active or executing. In someembodiments, device/global internal state 157 is used by event sorter170 to determine which application(s) is(are) currently active, andapplication internal state 192 is used by event sorter 170 to determineapplication views 191 to which to deliver event information.

In some embodiments, application internal state 192 includes additionalinformation, such as one or more of: resume information to be used whenapplication 136-1 resumes execution, user interface state informationthat indicates information being displayed or that is ready for displayby application 136-1, a state queue for enabling the user to go back toa prior state or view of application 136-1, and a redo/undo queue ofprevious actions taken by the user.

Event monitor 171 receives event information from peripherals interface118. Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., auser touch on touch-sensitive display 112, as part of a multi-touchgesture). Peripherals interface 118 transmits information it receivesfrom I/O subsystem 106 or a sensor, such as proximity sensor 166,accelerometer(s) 168, and/or microphone 113 (through audio circuitry110). Information that peripherals interface 118 receives from I/Osubsystem 106 includes information from touch-sensitive display 112 or atouch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, event monitor 171 sends requests to the peripheralsinterface 118 at predetermined intervals. In response, peripheralsinterface 118 transmits event information. In other embodiments,peripheral interface 118 transmits event information only when there isa significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predeterminednoise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration).

In some embodiments, event sorter 170 also includes a hit viewdetermination module 172 and/or an active event recognizer determinationmodule 173.

Hit view determination module 172 provides software procedures fordetermining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views,when touch sensitive display 112 displays more than one view. Views aremade up of controls and other elements that a user can see on thedisplay.

Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is aset of views, sometimes herein called application views or userinterface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-basedgestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) inwhich a touch is detected may correspond to programmatic levels within aprogrammatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example, thelowest level view in which a touch is detected may be called the hitview, and the set of events that are recognized as proper inputs may bedetermined based, at least in part, on the hit view of the initial touchthat begins a touch-based gesture.

Hit view determination module 172 receives information related tosub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multipleviews organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module 172identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which shouldhandle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowestlevel view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the firstsub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potentialevent). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determinationmodule, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to thesame touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view.

Active event recognizer determination module 173 determines which viewor views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence ofsub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determinationmodule 173 determines that only the hit view should receive a particularsequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizerdetermination module 173 determines that all views that include thephysical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, andtherefore determines that all actively involved views should receive aparticular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touchsub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with oneparticular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain asactively involved views.

Event dispatcher module 174 dispatches the event information to an eventrecognizer (e.g., event recognizer 180). In embodiments including activeevent recognizer determination module 173, event dispatcher module 174delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined byactive event recognizer determination module 173. In some embodiments,event dispatcher module 174 stores in an event queue the eventinformation, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module182.

In some embodiments, operating system 126 includes event sorter 170.Alternatively, application 136-1 includes event sorter 170. In yet otherembodiments, event sorter 170 is a stand-alone module, or a part ofanother module stored in memory 102, such as contact/motion module 130.

In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes a plurality of eventhandlers 190 and one or more application views 191, each of whichincludes instructions for handling touch events that occur within arespective view of the application's user interface. Each applicationview 191 of the application 136-1 includes one or more event recognizers180. Typically, a respective application view 191 includes a pluralityof event recognizers 180. In other embodiments, one or more of eventrecognizers 180 are part of a separate module, such as a user interfacekit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application 136-1inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent handler 190 includes one or more of: data updater 176, objectupdater 177, GUI updater 178, and/or event data 179 received from eventsorter 170. Event handler 190 may utilize or call data updater 176,object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the application internalstate 192. Alternatively, one or more of the application views 191includes one or more respective event handlers 190. Also, in someembodiments, one or more of data updater 176, object updater 177, andGUI updater 178 are included in a respective application view 191.

A respective event recognizer 180 receives event information (e.g.,event data 179) from event sorter 170, and identifies an event from theevent information. Event recognizer 180 includes event receiver 182 andevent comparator 184. In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 alsoincludes at least a subset of: metadata 183, and event deliveryinstructions 188 (which may include sub-event delivery instructions).

Event receiver 182 receives event information from event sorter 170. Theevent information includes information about a sub-event, for example, atouch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the eventinformation also includes additional information, such as location ofthe sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch the eventinformation may also include speed and direction of the sub-event. Insome embodiments, events include rotation of the device from oneorientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to a landscapeorientation, or vice versa), and the event information includescorresponding information about the current orientation (also calleddevice attitude) of the device.

Event comparator 184 compares the event information to predefined eventor sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines anevent or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event orsub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator 184 includes eventdefinitions 186. Event definitions 186 contain definitions of events(e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event 1(187-1), event 2 (187-2), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events inan event 187 include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touchmovement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, thedefinition for event 1 (187-1) is a double tap on a displayed object.The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) onthe displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on thedisplayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition forevent 2 (187-2) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, forexample, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for apredetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitivedisplay 112, and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In some embodiments,the event also includes information for one or more associated eventhandlers 190.

In some embodiments, event definition 187 includes a definition of anevent for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, eventcomparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which user-interfaceobject is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an applicationview in which three user-interface objects are displayed ontouch-sensitive display 112, when a touch is detected on touch-sensitivedisplay 112, event comparator 184 performs a hit test to determine whichof the three user-interface objects is associated with the touch(sub-event). If each displayed object is associated with a respectiveevent handler 190, the event comparator uses the result of the hit testto determine which event handler 190 should be activated. For example,event comparator 184 selects an event handler associated with thesub-event and the object triggering the hit test.

In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event 187 alsoincludes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event informationuntil after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-eventsdoes or does not correspond to the event recognizer's event type.

When a respective event recognizer 180 determines that the series ofsub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions 186, therespective event recognizer 180 enters an event impossible, eventfailed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequentsub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other eventrecognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue totrack and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 includes metadata183 with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate howthe event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to activelyinvolved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includesconfigurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how eventrecognizers may interact with one another. In some embodiments, metadata183 includes configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicatewhether sub-events are delivered to varying levels in the view orprogrammatic hierarchy.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 activates eventhandler 190 associated with an event when one or more particularsub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent recognizer 180 delivers event information associated with theevent to event handler 190. Activating an event handler 190 is distinctfrom sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view.In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 throws a flag associated withthe recognized event, and event handler 190 associated with the flagcatches the flag and performs a predefined process.

In some embodiments, event delivery instructions 188 include sub-eventdelivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-eventwithout activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event deliveryinstructions deliver event information to event handlers associated withthe series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlersassociated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved viewsreceive the event information and perform a predetermined process.

In some embodiments, data updater 176 creates and updates data used inapplication 136-1. For example, data updater 176 updates the telephonenumber used in contacts module 137, or stores a video file used in videoplayer module 145. In some embodiments, object updater 177 creates andupdates objects used in application 136-1. For example, object updater176 creates a new user-interface object or updates the position of auser-interface object. GUI updater 178 updates the GUI. For example, GUIupdater 178 prepares display information and sends it to graphics module132 for display on a touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, event handler(s) 190 includes or has access to dataupdater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178. In someembodiments, data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178are included in a single module of a respective application 136-1 orapplication view 191. In other embodiments, they are included in two ormore software modules.

It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding eventhandling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays also applies toother forms of user inputs to operate multifunction devices 100 withinput-devices, not all of which are initiated on touch screens, e.g.,coordinating mouse movement and mouse button presses with or withoutsingle or multiple keyboard presses or holds, user movements taps,drags, scrolls, etc., on touch-pads, pen stylus inputs, movement of thedevice, oral instructions, detected eye movements, biometric inputs,and/or any combination thereof, which may be utilized as inputscorresponding to sub-events which define an event to be recognized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen maydisplay one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200. In thisembodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one ormore of the graphics by making contact or touching the graphics, forexample, with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in the figure)or one or more styluses 203 (not drawn to scale in the figure). In someembodiments, selection of one or more graphics occurs when the userbreaks contact with the one or more graphics. In some embodiments, thecontact may include a gesture, such as one or more taps, one or moreswipes (from left to right, right to left, upward and/or downward)and/or a rolling of a finger (from right to left, left to right, upwardand/or downward) that has made contact with device 100. In someembodiments, inadvertent contact with a graphic may not select thegraphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweeps over an applicationicon may not select the corresponding application when the gesturecorresponding to selection is a tap.

Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home”or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 may be usedto navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that may beexecuted on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menubutton is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone 113.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments. Device 300 need not be portable. In some embodiments,device 300 is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer,a multimedia player device, a navigation device, an educational device(such as a child's learning toy), a gaming system, or a control device(e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device 300 typically includesone or more processing units (CPU's) 310, one or more network or othercommunications interfaces 360, memory 370, and one or more communicationbuses 320 for interconnecting these components. Communication buses 320may include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnectsand controls communications between system components. Device 300includes input/output (I/O) interface 330 comprising display 340, whichis typically a touch screen display. I/O interface 330 also may includea keyboard and/or mouse (or other pointing device) 350 and touchpad 355.Memory 370 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM,DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices; and mayinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or othernon-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory 370 may optionallyinclude one or more storage devices remotely located from CPU(s) 310. Insome embodiments, memory 370 stores programs, modules, and datastructures analogous to the programs, modules, and data structuresstored in memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIG. 1), or asubset thereof. Furthermore, memory 370 may store additional programs,modules, and data structures not present in memory 102 of portablemultifunction device 100. For example, memory 370 of device 300 maystore drawing module 380, presentation module 382, word processingmodule 384, website creation module 386, disk authoring module 388,and/or spreadsheet module 390, while memory 102 of portablemultifunction device 100 (FIG. 1) may not store these modules.

Each of the above identified elements in FIG. 3 may be stored in one ormore of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of the aboveidentified modules corresponds to a set of instructions for performing afunction described above. The above identified modules or programs(i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separatesoftware programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets ofthese modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in variousembodiments. In some embodiments, memory 370 may store a subset of themodules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory 370may store additional modules and data structures not described above.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)that may be implemented on portable multifunction device 100.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate exemplary user interfaces for a menu ofapplications on portable multifunction device 100 in accordance withsome embodiments. Similar user interfaces may be implemented on device300. In some embodiments, user interface 400A includes the followingelements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   Signal strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless communication(s),        such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;    -   Time 404;    -   Bluetooth indicator 405;    -   Battery status indicator 406;    -   Tray 408 with icons for frequently used applications, such as:        -   Phone 138, which may include an indicator 414 of the number            of missed calls or voicemail messages;        -   E-mail client 140, which may include an indicator 410 of the            number of unread e-mails;        -   Browser 147; and        -   Music player 146; and    -   Icons for other applications, such as:        -   IM 141;        -   Image management 144;        -   Camera 143;        -   Video player 145;        -   Weather 149-1;        -   Stocks 149-2;        -   Workout support 142;        -   Calendar 148;        -   Calculator 149-3;        -   Alarm clock 149-4;        -   Dictionary 149-5; and        -   User-created widget 149-6.

In some embodiments, user interface 400B includes the followingelements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   402, 404, 405, 406, 141, 148, 144, 143, 149-3, 149-2, 149-1,        149-4, 410, 414, 138, 140, and 147, as described above;    -   Map 154;    -   Notes 153;    -   Settings 412, which provides access to settings for device 100        and its various applications 136, as described further below;    -   Video and music player module 152, also referred to as iPod        (trademark of Apple Inc.) module 152; and    -   Online video module 155, also referred to as YouTube (trademark        of Google Inc.) module 155.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary user interface on a device (e.g.,device 300, FIG. 3) with a touch-sensitive surface 451 (e.g., a tabletor touchpad 355, FIG. 3) that is separate from the display 450 (e.g.,touch screen display 112). Although many of the examples which followwill be given with reference to inputs on touch screen display 112(where the touch sensitive surface and the display are combined), insome embodiments, the device detects inputs on a touch-sensitive surfacethat is separate from the display, as shown in FIG. 4C. In someembodiments the touch sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 4C) has aprimary axis (e.g., 452 in FIG. 4C) that corresponds to a primary axis(e.g., 453 in FIG. 4C) on the display (e.g., 450). In accordance withthese embodiments, the device detects contacts (e.g., 460 and 462 inFIG. 4C) with the touch-sensitive surface 451 at locations thatcorrespond to respective locations on the display (e.g., in FIG. 4C 460corresponds to 468 and 462 corresponds to 470). In this way, user inputs(e.g., contacts 460 and 462, and movements thereof) detected by thedevice on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG. 4C) are used bythe device to manipulate the user interface on the display (e.g., 450 inFIG. 4C) of the multifunction device when the touch-sensitive surface isseparate from the display. It should be understood that similar methodsmay be used for other user interfaces described herein.

Additionally, while the following examples are given primarily withreference to finger inputs (e.g., finger contacts, finger tap gestures,finger swipe gestures), it should be understood that, in someembodiments, one or more of the finger inputs are replaced with inputfrom another input device (e.g., a mouse based input or stylus input).For example, a swipe gesture may be replaced with a mouse click (e.g.,instead of a contact) followed by movement of the cursor along the pathof the swipe (e.g., instead of movement of the contact). As anotherexample, a tap gesture may be replaced with a mouse click while thecursor is located over the location of the tap gesture (e.g., instead ofdetection of the contact followed by ceasing to detect the contact).Similarly, when multiple user inputs are simultaneously detected, itshould be understood that multiple computer mice may be usedsimultaneously, or a mouse and finger contacts may be usedsimultaneously.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)and associated processes that may be implemented on a multifunctiondevice with a display and a touch-sensitive surface, such as device 300or portable multifunction device 100.

FIGS. 5A-5T illustrate exemplary user interfaces for creating,displaying, and using duplicate virtual keys in accordance with someembodiments. The user interfaces in these figures are used to illustratethe processes described below, including the processes in FIGS. 6A-6D.

It should be appreciated that, as used herein, the terms “clone” and“duplicate,” or “to clone” and “to duplicate,” are used interchangeably.

UI 500A (FIG. 5A) includes application window 502 and virtual keyboard(also called “soft keyboard”) 504 displayed on a display (e.g., touchscreen 112 of device 100). Virtual keyboard 504 includes multiplevirtual keys 506. Virtual keys (also called “soft keys”) 506 include,for example, keys associated with letters, numbers, or symbols (e.g.,“Z” key 506-A, “C” key 506-B, “V” key 506-C) and keys associated withfunctions or function modifiers (e.g., “control” key 506-D). Activationof a virtual key 506 (e.g., by detecting a tap gesture on the key)activates an operation associated with the activated key (e.g., input ofa character). Virtual keyboard 504 also includes a “clone” virtual key508.

UI 500B (FIG. 5B) depicts gesture 510 (e.g., a tap gesture) beingdetected on clone key 508. In response to detection of gesture 510 onclone key 508 (i.e., selection of clone key 508), a key cloning mode isactivated.

UI 500C (FIG. 5C) depicts the user interface while the key cloning modeis active (i.e., the user interface is in key cloning mode). In someembodiments, while key cloning mode is active, clone key 508 can beshaded or otherwise highlighted to indicate that the key cloning mode isactive, as shown in FIG. 5C. While the key cloning mode is active,gesture 512 (e.g., a tap gesture) is detected on “Z” key 506-A, whichselects “Z” key 506-A for duplication.

UI 500D (FIG. 5D) depicts cloning (or “duplication”) of “Z” key 506-A.In response to detection of gesture 512, a clone (also known as a“duplicate”) 514 of “Z” key 506-A is displayed. When “Z” key clone 514is displayed, it can be displayed apart from keyboard 504, so thatkeyboard 504 does not obscure “Z” key clone 514.

Thus, when a key 506 is selected while the key cloning mode is inactive,the operation associated with the selected key is activated. When thekey is selected while the key cloning mode is active, the selected keyis cloned.

Activating a key clone achieves the same effect as if the correspondingoriginal key is activated. For example, activating the “Z” key clone 514achieves the same effect as if “Z” key 506-A is activated. Thus, a usercan select “Z” key clone 514 to, for example, enter the letter “z” orperform keyboard shortcuts that include “Z” key 506-A.

In some embodiments, once the key cloning mode is activated in responseto detection of an activation input (e.g., detection of a tap gesture onclone key 508), the key cloning mode remains active until a deactivationinput is detected (e.g., detection of a second tap gesture on clone key508). Thus, for example, in some embodiments clone key 508 acts as atoggle switch for activating and deactivating the key cloning mode. Insome other embodiments, while the key cloning mode is active, inresponse to detection of a gesture on a key for which a clone isdesired, the key cloning mode is deactivated along with the key beingcloned, as shown in FIG. 5D. To clone another key, the key cloning modeis activated again, an example of which is shown in FIG. 5D, as gesture515 (e.g., a tap gesture) is detected on clone key 508 while the keycloning mode is inactive.

UI 500E (FIG. 5E) depicts the key cloning mode being activated inresponse to detection of gesture 515. While the key cloning mode isactive, gesture 516 is detected on “C” key 506-B, which selects “C” key506-B for duplication.

UI 500F (FIG. 5F) depicts cloning of “C” key 506-B. In response todetection of gesture 516, a clone 518 of “C” key 506-B is displayed.When “C” key clone 518 is displayed, it may be displayed apart fromkeyboard 504, so that keyboard 504 does not obscure “C” key clone 518.Activating “C” key clone 518 achieves the same effect as if “C” key506-B is activated. Thus, a user can select “C” key clone 518 to, forexample, enter the letter “c” or perform keyboard shortcuts that include“C” key 506-B.

The procedures for cloning keys 506-A and 506-B, described above withrespect to FIGS. 5B thru 5F, may be applied in an analogous manner toclone other keys 506 on keyboard 504. UI 500G (FIG. 5G) depicts one ormore key clones, in addition to key clones 514 and 518, being displayed.“V” key clone 520 is a clone of “V” key 506-C. “Control” key clone 522is a clone of “control” key 506-D. For brevity, the procedures forcloning keys 506-C and 506-D, which are analogous to the procedures forcloning keys 506-A and 506-B, are not shown.

UI 500H (FIG. 5H) depicts keyboard 504 ceasing to be displayed (i.e.,keyboard 504 is hidden or dismissed). In some embodiments, keyboard 504ceases to be displayed in response to detection of a predefined gesture,activation of a keyboard-hiding key or key combination on keyboard 504,or other input associated with hiding of keyboard 504. While keyboard504 is hidden, key clones 514, 518, 520, 522 remain displayed. Even withkeyboard 504 hidden, key clones 514, 518, 520, 522 can be activated asif the respective corresponding original key is activated. Also, withkeyboard 504 hidden, display space on touch screen 112 that was occupiedby keyboard 504 is freed up.

UI's 500I and 500J (FIGS. 5I-5J) depict an example of repositioning of akey clone on the display. Contact 524 on “control” key clone 522 andmovement of contact 524 are detected, as shown in FIG. 5I. In responseto detection of movement of contact 524, “control” key clone 522 ismoved, in accordance with the direction of the detected movement ofcontact 524, to another position on the display, as shown in FIG. 5J.

UI's 500K, 500L, 500M, and 500N (FIGS. 5K-5N) depict more examples ofrepositioning of one or more key clones on the display. Contact 526 on“control” key clone 522 and movement of contact 526 are detected, asshown in FIG. 5K. The detected movement of contact 526 is toward theproximity of “C” key clone 518. In response to detection of movement ofcontact 526, “control” key clone 522 is moved, in accordance with thedirection of the detected movement of contact 526, to a position in theproximity of “C” key clone 518. In response to “control” key clone 522moving into proximity of “C” key clone 518, “control” key clone 522 isdocked adjacent to “C” key clone 518, as shown in FIG. 5L. In someembodiments, a key clone is within the proximity of another key clone iftheir peripheries are within a predefined distance (e.g., 5 pixels) fromeach other.

While key clones 522 and 518 are docked together, contact 528 on keyclone 522 and movement of contact 528 away from key clone 518 aredetected, as shown in FIG. 5L. In response to detected movement ofcontact 528, docked key clones 522 and 518 may move together as a groupor be undocked. In some embodiments, if the velocity of the detectedmovement of contact 528 is below a predefined threshold, docked keyclones 522 and 518 move together as a group in accordance with thedirection of the detected movement of contact 528, as shown in FIG. 5M.If the velocity of the detected movement of contact 528 is above thepredefined threshold, key clones 522 and 518 are undocked and just keyclone 522 (where contact 528 was detected) moves in accordance with thedirection of the movement of contact 528, as shown in FIG. 5N.

UI's 500O and 500P (FIGS. 5O-5P) depict a combining of two or more keyclones to form a combination key. A gesture 530 (e.g., a pinch gesture)is detected on key clones 518 and 522. Gesture 530 includes a contact530-1 on key clone 518, the other contact 530-2 on key clone 522, andmovement of contacts 530-1 and 530-2 toward each other. In response todetection of gesture 530, key clones 518 and 522 cease to be displayedand “control+C” combination key 532 is displayed; key clones 518 and 522are replaced by combination key 532. Activation of “control+C” key 532achieves the same effect as simultaneously activating “C” key 506-B and“control” key 506-D. Thus, a user can select “control+C” key 532, forexample, to perform a keyboard shortcut that includes “C” key 506-B and“control” key 506-D activated simultaneously. Also, combination key 532may be moved or docked in an analogous manner to a key clone (e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 5I-5N) and can be combined withadditional key clones or combination keys (which are themselvescombinations of key clones) to form a new combination key thatcorresponds to a larger key combination.

It should be appreciated that the term “simultaneously,” as used here inthe context of the time difference between activation of two keys,includes when the keys are activated within a predefined time of eachother (e.g., 0.25 second), when the keys are selected at substantiallythe same time, or when one key is continuously activated (e.g., selectedand held) and then the other key is selected (and thus the activation ofone key overlaps the activation of the other key).

UI's 500Q and 500R (FIGS. 5Q-5R) depict a separation of a combinationkey into two or more constituent key clones. A gesture 534 (e.g., ade-pinch gesture) is detected on “control+C” combination key 532.Gesture 534 includes contacts 534-1 and 534-2, with at least one ofcontacts 534-1 and 534-2 overlapping combination key 532, and movementof contacts 534-1 and 534-2 away from each other. In response todetection of gesture 534, combination key 532 ceases to be displayed andkey clones 518 and 522 are displayed; combination key 532 is replaced byits constituent key clones 518 and 522.

Thus, as described above with respect to FIGS. 5O-5R, two or more keyclones can be combined to form a combination key, and a combination keycan be separated into its constituent key clones.

UI's 500S and 500T (FIGS. 5S-5T) depict an exemplary method for removinga key clone from the display. With keyboard 504 being displayed, acontact 536 on “Z” key clone 514 and movement of contact 536 aredetected. The detected movement of contact 536 is toward, and into,keyboard 504. In response to detected movement of contact 536, “Z” keyclone 514 moves, in accordance with the direction of the movement ofcontact 536, into keyboard 504. In response to “Z” key clone 514 movinginto keyboard 504, “Z” key clone 514 ceases to be displayed and is notavailable for selection. “Z” key 506-A can be cloned again, inaccordance with the procedure described above with respect to FIGS.5B-5D, to have a clone of Z″ key 506-A displayed and available forselection. This key clone removal procedure can be applied in ananalogous manner to combination keys as well.

In some embodiments, a key clone or a combination key may be removed bymoving the key clone or combination key for which removal is desired tothe location of a predefined user interface object other than keyboard504. For example, a user interface object, which may be labeled “trashcan,” “recycle bin,” or the like, may be displayed on display 112. Afile may be deleted or a storage medium drive may be dismounted bymoving a user interface object corresponding to such file or drive tothe “trash can” object. Similarly, a key clone or a combination key maybe removed by moving it to the location of the “trash can” object (e.g.,in response to detecting movement of a contact detected over the keyclone or combination key to the location of the “trash can” object).

It should be appreciated that the procedures described above, withreference to FIGS. 5I-5T, for moving key clones, docking and undockingkey clones, combining key clones into a combination key or vice versa,and removing a key clone, may be performed while the key cloning mode isinactive.

In some embodiments, a key clone or a combination key may be removed byselecting the key clone or combination key for which removal is desiredwhile the key cloning mode is active. For example, referring back toFIG. 5E, while the key cloning mode is active (as indicated by shadedclone key 508), if a tap gesture is detected on “Z” key clone 514, “Z”key clone 514 ceases to be displayed.

FIGS. 6A-6D are flow diagrams illustrating a method 600 of creating,displaying, and using duplicate virtual keys in accordance with someembodiments. The method 600 is performed at a multifunction or computingdevice (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunction device 100,FIG. 1A or 1B) with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. In someembodiments, the display is a touch screen display and thetouch-sensitive surface is on the display. In some embodiments, thedisplay is separate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations inmethod 600 may be combined and/or the order of some operations may bechanged.

As described below, the method 600 provides an intuitive way to create,display, and use duplicate virtual keys. The method reduces thecognitive burden on a user when manipulating duplicate virtual keys,thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface. Forbattery-operated computing devices, enabling a user to manipulateduplicate virtual keys faster and more efficiently conserves power andincreases the time between battery charges.

The device displays (602) a virtual keyboard that includes a pluralityof keys. For example, in FIG. 5A, virtual keyboard 504 is displayed ontouch screen 112. Virtual keyboard 504 includes multiple virtual keys506, including keys associated with letters (e.g., keys 506-A, 506-B,506-C) and keys associated with functions or function modifiers (e.g.,506-D).

The device detects (604) a first input to the device that activates akey cloning mode. The first input can be, for example, an activation ofa key associated with the key cloning mode or a predefined gestureassociated with activation of the key cloning mode.

In some embodiments, the virtual keyboard includes a cloning key, anddetecting the first input corresponding to activation of the key cloningmode includes detecting activation of the cloning key (606). Forexample, when the virtual keyboard is displayed on a touch-sensitivedisplay, the device detects a finger gesture (e.g., a tap gesture) onthe cloning key. As an example, in FIGS. 5B-5C, virtual keyboard 504includes clone key 508 (i.e., the cloning key). Gesture 510 (e.g., a tapgesture) is detected on clone key 508. In response to detection ofgesture 510, the key cloning mode is activated. Alternatively, in someembodiments, the device detects a mouse click while a cursor/pointer ison the cloning key.

In some embodiments, detecting the first input corresponding toactivation of the key cloning mode includes detecting a predefinedgesture associated with activation of the key cloning mode on thetouch-sensitive surface (608). For example, while the virtual keyboardis displayed, the device detects a finger gesture, such as a four-fingeror five-finger tap gesture (e.g., a single tap or a double tap made withthe four or five fingers), that is predefined to correspond toactivation of the key cloning mode. As another example, while thevirtual keyboard is not displayed, the four-finger or five-finger tapgesture is detected. In response, the virtual keyboard is displayed andthe key cloning mode is activated (without needing to detect activationof a cloning key on the virtual keyboard).

While in key cloning mode, the device detects (610) selection of a firstkey on the virtual keyboard (e.g., detecting a finger gesture (e.g., atap gesture) or mouse click on the first key) and, in response todetecting selection of the first key, displays (612) a duplicate of thefirst key. In some embodiments, the duplicate of the first key iscreated and displayed apart from the virtual keyboard.

As an example, in FIGS. 5C-5D, while the key cloning mode is active,gesture 512 (e.g., a tap gesture) is detected on “Z” key 506-A; “Z” key506-A is selected. In response to detection of gesture 512, “Z” keyclone 514, which is a duplicate of “Z” key 506-A, is displayed. “Z” keyclone 514 is displayed apart from keyboard 504.

After exiting the key cloning mode, the device detects (614) activationof the duplicate of the first key (e.g., detecting a finger gesture(e.g., a tap gesture) or mouse click on the duplicate of the first key).For example, in FIG. 5D, while the key cloning mode is inactive, a tapgesture on “Z” key clone 514 may be detected.

In response to detecting activation of the duplicate of the first key,the device performs (616) an action in accordance with the first key.For example, if the first key is a key for the letter “A”, detectingactivation of the duplicate/clone of the “A” key produces the sameresponse as detecting activation of the “A” key itself, namely enteringthe letter “A” or an operation or action associated with the input “A”.For example, in FIG. 5D, activation of “Z” key clone 514 while the keycloning mode is inactive (i.e., after exiting the key cloning mode)produces the same response as detecting activation of “Z” key 506-A. Inthe context of a text entry field, for example, activating “Z” key clone514 enters the letter “Z,” as if “Z” key 506-A was activated.

In some embodiments, the device ceases displaying (618) the virtualkeyboard (e.g., dismissing the virtual keyboard in response todetecting, for example, a predefined gesture or activation of a keyassociated with dismissal of the virtual keyboard) and maintains (620)display of the duplicate of the first key after the virtual keyboardceases to be displayed. By maintaining display of the duplicate of thefirst key after the virtual keyboard ceases to be displayed, the user ofthe device is still able to access the functionality of the first key(by activating the duplicate of the first key) while display space isfreed up for other content, such as an application window. Without thevirtual keyboard taking up display space, the user can view more contenton the display while still being able to activate at least some keys ofthe keyboard (e.g., keys in frequently-used shortcuts). Also, theduplicate of the first key can be moved around in the display, includinginto the display space freed up by ceasing to display the virtualkeyboard; the user can move the duplicate of the first key to a moreconvenient and/or comfortable position on the display. For example, inFIG. 5H, keyboard 504 ceases to be displayed, and key clones 514, 518,520, 522 remain displayed after keyboard 504 ceases to be displayed. Thekey clones 514, 518, 520, 522 can be moved, as described above withrespect to FIGS. 5I-5N.

In some embodiments, the device detects (622) a second input on theduplicate of the first key and moves (624) the duplicate of the firstkey across the display in accordance with the second input. For example,when the virtual keyboard is displayed on a touch-sensitive display, thedevice detects a finger contact on the duplicate of the first key,followed by movement of the finger contact across the touch-sensitivedisplay. The device moves the duplicate of the first key across thedisplay in accordance with the movement of the finger contact.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the device detects a mouse downwhile a cursor/pointer is on the duplicate of the first key, followed bya mouse drag and a mouse up. The device moves the duplicate of the firstkey across the display in accordance with the mouse drag movement untilthe mouse up is detected.

An example of the duplicate of the first key moving in response to asecond input is shown in FIG. 5S. Contact 536 on “Z” key clone 514 anddownward movement of contact 536 are detected. In response to thedetected movement of contact 536, “Z” key clone 514 moves in accordancewith the detected movement of contact 536 (i.e., in the same directionas the detected movement).

In some embodiments, the devices ceases displaying (626) the duplicateof the first key when the duplicate of the first key moves into thevirtual keyboard. For example, in FIGS. 5S-5T, contact 536 on “Z” keyclone 514 and downward movement of contact 536 are detected. In responseto the detected movement of contact 536, “Z” key clone 514 moves inaccordance with the detected movement of contact 536. “Z” key clone 514moves into keyboard 504. In response to “Z” key clone 514 moving intokeyboard 504, “Z” key clone 514 ceases to be displayed; “Z” key clone514 is dismissed.

In some embodiments, while in the key cloning mode, the device detects(628) selection of a second key (e.g., detecting a finger gesture (e.g.,a tap gesture) or mouse click on the second key), distinct from thefirst key, on the virtual keyboard, and, in response to detectingselection of the second key, displays (630) a duplicate of the secondkey. In some embodiments, the duplicate of the second key is created anddisplayed apart from the virtual keyboard. For example, in FIGS. 5E-5F,while the key cloning mode is active, gesture 516 is detected on “C” key506 B; “C” key 506-B is selected. In response to detection of gesture516, a clone 518 of “C” key 506-B is displayed. “C” key clone 518 isdisplayed apart from keyboard 504, so that keyboard 504 does not obscure“C” key clone 518.

After exiting the key cloning mode, the device detects (632) activationof the duplicate of the second key (e.g., detecting a finger gesture(e.g., a tap gesture) or mouse click on the duplicate of the secondkey). In response to detecting activation of the duplicate of the secondkey, the device performs (634) an action in accordance with the secondkey. For example, if the second key is a key for the letter “C”,detecting activation of the duplicate/cloned “C” key produces the sameresponse as detecting activation of the “C” key itself, namely enteringthe letter “C” or inputting “C” as part of a keyboard shortcut. As anexample, in FIG. 5F, activating “C” key clone 518 while the key cloningmode is inactive (i.e., after exiting the key cloning mode) produces thesame response as detecting activation of “C” key 506-B. In the contextof a text entry field, for example, activating “C” key clone 518 entersthe letter “C,” as if “C” key 506-B was activated.

In some embodiments, the device ceases displaying (636) the virtualkeyboard (e.g., dismissing the virtual keyboard in response todetecting, for example, a predefined gesture or activation of a keyassociated with dismissal of the virtual keyboard). The device maintainsdisplay (638) of the duplicate of the first key and the duplicate of thesecond key after the virtual keyboard ceases to be displayed. Bymaintaining display of the duplicate of the second key after the virtualkeyboard ceases to be displayed, the user of the device is still able toaccess the functionality of the second key (by activating the duplicateof the second key) while display space is freed up for other content,such as an application window. Without the virtual keyboard taking updisplay space, the user can view more content on the display while stillbeing able to activate at least some keys of the keyboard (e.g., keys infrequently-used shortcuts). Also, the duplicate of the second key can bemoved around in the display, including into the display space freed upby ceasing to display the virtual keyboard; the user can move theduplicate of the second key to a more convenient and/or comfortableposition on the display. For example, in FIG. 5H, keyboard 504 ceases tobe displayed, and key clones 514, 518, 520, 522 remain displayed afterkeyboard 504 ceases to be displayed. The key clones 514, 518, 520, 522can be moved, as described above with respect to FIGS. 5I-5N.

In some embodiments, the device detects (640) simultaneous activation ofthe duplicate of the first key and the duplicate of the second key, and,in response to detecting simultaneous activation of the duplicate of thefirst key and the duplicate of the second key, performs (642) an actionin accordance with a combination of the first key and the second key.For example, if the first key is a “Control” key and the second key is akey for the letter “C”, detecting simultaneous activation of theduplicate/cloned “Control” key (e.g., “control” key clone 522, FIG. 5H)and the duplicate/cloned “C” key (e.g., “C” key clone 518, FIG. 5H)produces the same response as detecting simultaneous activation of the“Control” (e.g., “control” key 506-D, FIG. 5A) and “C” keys (e.g., “C”key 506-B, FIG. 5A), namely entering the letter “C” or an operation oraction associated with the combination of “control” and “C” inputs(e.g., the “control+C” keyboard shortcut).

In some embodiments, the device detects (644) a gesture on the duplicateof the first key and the duplicate of the second key. For example, thedevice detects a two-finger pinching gesture, with one finger initiallyat a location on the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to theduplicate of the first key and the other finger initially at a locationon the touch-sensitive surface that corresponds to the duplicate of thesecond key. For example, in FIG. 5O, two-finger pinch gesture 530 isdetected. One finger of gesture 530 is on key clone 518 and the otherfinger is on key clone 522. In some embodiments, the gesture may bedetected on the first key and the second key in the virtual keyboard.

In response to detecting the gesture on the duplicate of the first keyand the duplicate of the second key, the device ceases displaying (646)the duplicate of the first key and the duplicate of the second key anddisplays (648) a third key corresponding to a combination of the firstkey and second key. For example, in FIG. 5P, in response to thedetection gesture 530, the device creates and displays “control+C” key532, which corresponds to a combination of “control” key 506-D and “C”key 506-B. “Control+C” key 532 replaces “control” key clone 522 and “C”key clone 518, which cease to be displayed.

The device detect (650) activation of the third key. In response todetecting activation of the third key, the device performs (652) anaction in accordance with the combination of the first key and thesecond key. By having the third key that is a combination key ratherthan separate duplicates of the first and second keys, combinations ofkeys, where multiple keys are activated simultaneously (e.g., keyboardshortcuts) can be activated more efficiently by the user, as the userjust needs to select one key rather than two or more. Also, like theduplicates of the first key and the second key, the third key may alsobe repositioned by the user on the display and/or deleted. For example,in FIG. 5P, activation of “control+c” key 532 produces the same responseas detecting simultaneous activation of “control” key 506-D and “C” key506-B. “Control+c” key 532 can be moved on the display 112 or removedfrom the display 112. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5Q-5R, “control+c” key532 can be separated into its constituent key clones 518 and 522.

The operations in the information processing methods described above maybe implemented by running one or more functional modules in informationprocessing apparatus such as general purpose processors or applicationspecific chips. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/ortheir combination with general hardware (e.g., as described above withrespect to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3) are all included within the scope ofprotection of the invention.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6D may beimplemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C. For example,detection operations 604, 610, 614, displaying operation 612, andperforming operation 616 may be implemented by event sorter 170, eventrecognizer 180, and event handler 190. Event monitor 171 in event sorter170 detects a contact on touch-sensitive display 112, and eventdispatcher module 174 delivers the event information to application136-1. A respective event recognizer 180 of application 136-1 comparesthe event information to respective event definitions 186, anddetermines whether a first contact at a first location on thetouch-sensitive surface corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event,such as selection of an object on a user interface. When a respectivepredefined event or sub-event is detected, event recognizer 180activates an event handler 190 associated with the detection of theevent or sub-event. Event handler 190 may utilize or call data updater176, object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the applicationinternal state 192. In some embodiments, event handler 190 accesses arespective GUI updater 178 to update what is displayed by theapplication. Similarly, it would be clear to a person having ordinaryskill in the art how other processes can be implemented based on thecomponents depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device, comprising: a display and atouch-sensitive surface; one or more processors; memory; and one or moreprograms, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory andconfigured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or moreprograms including instructions for: displaying a virtual keyboard thatincludes a plurality of keys; detecting selection of a first key in thevirtual keyboard while a key cloning mode is inactive; in response todetecting selection of the first key in the virtual keyboard while thekey cloning mode is inactive, inputting a character corresponding to thefirst key; detecting a first input on the virtual keyboard; in responseto detecting the first input on the virtual keyboard: activating a keycloning mode, and maintaining display of the virtual keyboard; while inthe key cloning mode: detecting selection of the first key on thevirtual keyboard; and, in response to detecting selection of the firstkey, displaying a duplicate of the first key; detecting activation ofthe duplicate of the first key; and, in response to detecting,activation of the duplicate of the first key, inputting a charactercorresponding to the first key.
 2. The device of claim 1, includinginstructions for: ceasing to display the virtual keyboard; and,maintaining display of the duplicate of the first key after the virtualkeyboard ceases to be displayed.
 3. The device of claim 1, includinginstructions for: detecting a second input on the duplicate of the firstkey; and moving the duplicate of the first key across the display inaccordance with the second input.
 4. The device of claim 3, includinginstructions for: ceasing to display the duplicate of the first soft keywhen the duplicate of the first key moves into the virtual keyboard. 5.The device of claim 1, including instructions for: while in the keycloning mode: detecting selection of a second key, distinct from thefirst key, on the virtual keyboard; and, in response to detectingselection of the second key, displaying a duplicate of the second key;detecting activation of the duplicate of the second key; and, inresponse to detecting activation of the duplicate of the second key,inputting a character corresponding to the second key.
 6. The device ofclaim 4, including instructions for: detecting a gesture on theduplicate of the first key and the duplicate of the second key; inresponse to detecting the gesture on the duplicate of the first key andthe duplicate of the second key: ceasing to display the duplicate of thefirst key and the duplicate of the second key; and displaying a thirdkey corresponding to a combination of the first key and second key;detecting activation of the third key; and, in response to detectingactivation of the third key, performing an action in accordance with thecombination of the first key and the second key.
 7. A method,comprising: at a computing device with a display and a touch-sensitivesurface: displaying a virtual keyboard that includes a plurality ofkeys; detecting selection of a first key in the virtual keyboard while akey cloning mode is inactive; in response to detecting selection of thefirst key in the virtual keyboard while the key cloning mode isinactive, inputting a character corresponding to the first key;detecting a first input on the virtual keyboard; in response todetecting the first input on the virtual keyboard: activating a keycloning mode, and maintaining display of the virtual keyboard; while inthe key cloning mode: detecting selection of the first key on thevirtual keyboard; and, in response to detecting selection of the firstkey, displaying a duplicate of the first key; detecting activation ofthe duplicate of the first key; and, in response to detecting activationof the duplicate of the first key, inputting a character correspondingto the first key.
 8. The method of claim 7, including: ceasing todisplay the virtual keyboard; and, maintaining display of the duplicateof the first key after the virtual keyboard ceases to be displayed. 9.The method of claim 7, including: detecting a second input on theduplicate of the first key; and moving the duplicate of the first keyacross the display in accordance with the second input.
 10. The methodof claim 9, including: ceasing to display the duplicate of the first keywhen the duplicate of the first key moves into the virtual keyboard. 11.The method of claim 7, including: while in the key cloning mode:detecting selection of a second key, distinct from the first key, on thevirtual keyboard; and, in response to detecting selection of the secondkey, displaying a duplicate of the second key; detecting activation ofthe duplicate of the second key; and, in response to detectingactivation of the duplicate of the second key, inputting a charactercorresponding to the second key.
 12. The method of claim 11, including:detecting a gesture on the duplicate of the first key and the duplicateof the second key; in response to detecting the gesture on the duplicateof the first key and the duplicate of the second key: ceasing to displaythe duplicate of the first key and the duplicate of the second key; anddisplaying a third key corresponding to a combination of the first keyand second key; detecting activation of the third key; and, in responseto detecting activation of the third key, performing an action inaccordance with the combination of the first key and the second key. 13.A graphical user interface on a computing device with a display, atouch-sensitive surface, a memory, and one or more processors to executeone or more programs stored in the memory, the graphical user interfacecomprising: a virtual keyboard that includes a plurality of keys;wherein: selection of a first key in the virtual keyboard is detectedwhile a key cloning mode is inactive; in response to detecting selectionof the first key in the virtual keyboard while the key cloning mode isinactive, a character corresponding to the first key is inputted; afirst input on the virtual keyboard is detected; in response todetecting the first input on the virtual keyboard: a key cloning mode isactivated, and display of the virtual keyboard is maintained; while inthe key cloning mode: selection of the first key on the virtual keyboardis detected; and, a duplicate of the first key is displayed in responseto the detection of the selection of the first key; activation of theduplicate of the first key is detected; and, a character correspondingto the first key is inputted in response to the detection of theactivation of the duplicate of the first key.
 14. The graphical userinterface of claim 13, wherein: display the virtual keyboard is ceased;and, display of the duplicate of the first key is maintained after thevirtual keyboard ceases to be displayed.
 15. The graphical userinterface of claim 13, wherein: a second input on the duplicate of thefirst key is detected; and the duplicate of the first key is movedacross the display in accordance with the second input.
 16. Thegraphical user interface of claim 15, wherein: display of the duplicateof the first soft key is ceased when the duplicate of the first keymoves into the virtual keyboard.
 17. The graphical user interface ofclaim 13, wherein: while in the key cloning mode: selection of a secondkey, distinct from the first key, is detected on the virtual keyboard;and, in response to detecting selection of the second key, a duplicateof the second key is displayed; activation of the duplicate of thesecond key is detected; and, in response to detecting activation of theduplicate of the second key, a character corresponding to the second keyis inputted.
 18. The graphical user interface of claim 17, wherein: agesture on the duplicate of the first key and the duplicate of thesecond key is detected; in response to detecting the gesture on theduplicate of the first key and the duplicate of the second key: displayof the duplicate of the first key and the duplicate of the second key isceased; and a third key corresponding to a combination of the first keyand second key is displayed; activation of the third key is detected;and, in response to detecting activation of the third key, an action inaccordance with the combination of the first key and the second key isperformed.
 19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storingone or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions,which when executed by a computing device with a display and atouch-sensitive surface, cause the device to: display a virtual keyboardthat includes a plurality of keys; detect selection of a first key inthe virtual keyboard while a key cloning mode is inactive; in responseto detecting selection of the first key in the virtual keyboard whilethe key cloning mode is inactive, input a character corresponding to thefirst key; detect a first input on the virtual keyboard; in response todetecting the first input on the virtual keyboard; activate a keycloning mode, and maintain display of the virtual keyboard; while in thekey cloning mode: detect selection of the first key on the virtualkeyboard; and, in response to detecting selection of the first key,display a duplicate of the first key; detect activation of the duplicateof the first key; and, in response to detecting activation of theduplicate of the first key, input a character corresponding to the firstkey.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim19, including instructions which cause the device to: cease to displaythe virtual keyboard; and, maintain display of the duplicate of thefirst key after the virtual keyboard ceases to be displayed.
 21. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, includinginstructions which cause the device to: detect a second input on theduplicate of the first key; and move the duplicate of the first keyacross the display in accordance with the second input.
 22. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 21, includinginstructions which cause the device to: cease to display the duplicateof the first soft key when the duplicate of the first key moves into thevirtual keyboard.
 23. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 19, including instructions which cause the device to:while in the key cloning mode: detect selection of a second key,distinct from the first key, on the virtual keyboard; and, in responseto detecting selection of the second key, display a duplicate of thesecond key; detect activation of the duplicate of the second key; and,in response to detecting activation of the duplicate of the second key,inputting a character corresponding to the second key.
 24. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23, includinginstructions which cause the device to: detect a gesture on theduplicate of the first key and the duplicate of the second key; inresponse to detecting the gesture on the duplicate of the first key andthe duplicate of the second key: cease to display the duplicate of thefirst key and the duplicate of the second key; and display a third keycorresponding to a combination of the first key and second key; detectactivation of the third key; and, in response to detecting activation ofthe third key, perform an action in accordance with the combination ofthe first key and the second key.